Mexico and Centralia traded three run innings, but the bargain was to the detriment of the Bulldogs on Tuesday at Green Field.

Locked in a pitcher's duel but down by one, the Bulldogs erupted in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead. But the Panthers recovered with three in the top half of the sixth, adding another run in the final frame. Mexico suffered a 5-3 blow.

"It was an even game," said Abby Bellamy. "I thought we had them and then it was just mental errors."

Six errors proved costly, accounting for all of Centralia's scoring. Otherwise, Jordyn Thurman hurled a masterful game for Mexico. She gave up just five hits on the night, going the distance.

She also put the Bulldogs briefly on top.

With two down in the fifth, Riley Thurman slapped a single to left. Bellamy -- Mexico's Sultan of Swat -- cracked a long ball to left center that went for extra bases and plated Thurman.

After taking a strike, Jordyn Thurman belted a home run over the left field fence, making it 3-1 in Mexico's favor.

Thurman credits a text to her coach earlier that day for the long ball.

"I needed to make an adjustment to my swing," she explained. "It worked."

The Bulldogs had threatened to score earlier. Jordyn Thurman singled and made it to third with two out in the first. Karlee Sefrit , who went 2 for 3, led off the second with a base hit. She then poached both second and third, but could not reach home.

Bellamy also doubled in the third, but with two gone.

Despite Mexico's defensive woes, there were some highlights. Sefrit cut down a runner attempting to steal. Jordyn Thurman scooped up a grounder with runners on second and third to prevent more damage in the third, when Centralia's Ellie Page scored the Panthers' first run.

On two other occasions the Bulldogs escaped, leaving the Panthers in scoring position. Autumn Hawkins was perched on third in the top of the fifth when shortstop Taylor DeMint looked her back on a grounder.

Kaelyn Walters went the distance in the circle for Centralia to pick up the win.